William Chong

This is a more overtly Christian contemporary song – clean chords, a standard verse-chorus x2, bridge chorus x2 structure and distilled lyrics in a humble attempt to be clear-cut.

The song is a metaphorical sketch of my own (and others, no doubt) experiences and challenges in presenting the gospel to a generation that’s largely apathetic or hostile to the thought of being accountable to someone other than themselves. The start of verse two references Philip Pullman, though I’ve used it as a reminder to myself re: accountability.

I have to say that using something like Garageband made it much easier for a soundtech-illiterate guy like me to put songs together. I’m now onto using Logic, which is an entirely different beast altogether.

As always, all songs are available for downloading, thanks to metatoaster’s generous hosting. Comments/feedback/critiques are always welcome: either by using the comments box, or by flicking me an email).

Have a good day everyone!

 

 Save Our Souls [3:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Downloads 1

Save Our Souls – WILLIAM CHONG
I can see the fiction in their eyes
As they talk towards their prison
They don’t know that He has risen
Yea they ask me why I’m saved inside
Why do I claim that I’m born again?
Well undying love’s the reason

What would you know about heaven’s gold?
He’s on his way today or tomorrow
What would you do if you knew the truth
the proof is right there waiting in the living Word
He’s the one who saved our souls

A subtle knife to bleed your purpose dry
Can you trust your worldly arrow
When it all comes down tomorrow
I’d rather have my trust in Jesus Christ
With the anchor that was Calvary
What a joy He rescued me!

Made us whole
He took us home when he saved our souls

I’ve been questioned on authenticity
and endured the worldly shame
Accusations, inconsistencies
Yet the logic’s still the same

Yep. Another one, spent all of today doing this.

This one started as a lazy Saturday morning where two Chinese boys sat on the boot of their car with 2 guitars and tried to compromise their riffs and ideas.

Dennis: I think you must have lost interest, but it was written in my notebook so I had to finish it. I admire your concise under-3-minute approach and gave it a go. The lyrics I’ve also tried to be more flexible, i.e. less set-in-stone lyric sheet, more organic sand-castle approach.

Like all my songs, they’re loosely drawn from ideas and events in the lives around me. Mainly this one’s for everyone, including myself, who have loved and lost something (or someone) close to them at some stage in their life. It’s OK to be sad at times. Another Sunrise.

 

 Another Sunrise [2:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Another Sunrise – WILLIAM CHONG

Lyrics:
Daylight savings cravings for the
Happy summer times together
Go as far as to bribe the weatherman

Here’s a question: have you ever
Had a fight you regret to this day
Wake up: you’ve just missed another sunrise

Roll down your window take note that the sky is
a playground for clouds to play
Your open-top 4-door drives along the parade
But your sorrow is leading the way
A sunrise takin’ your breath away

Daylight savings: feels like winter
Need the strength to walk on water
Go as far as to pray for the courage to smile again…
Could your sorrow be leading the way
Will it ever melt away

Wish that I had loved her better
Turning back regret for compassion
Couldn’t change the way the sky seems to
colour my face
and the way
that I feel
now she’s gone

Dress yourself in sad nostalgia
Scatter ashes ‘cross the water
Wake up: you won’t see another sunrise

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 Breeze [2:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

This was the other song we managed to do during the holidays!

Ideas for this song came from a long summers’ afternoon, initially out on the grass fields of suburban Bucklands Beach. Using the trigger word “breeze”, and Cheryl’s phrase “a goblet of blue” to refer to the immensely azure sky we sat above.

I’m quite happy with the continuous strumming pattern that plays much like grass continuously billowing across a hill, for instance. It’s a short song, just guitar and vocals. If I get some time I’ll change it round a bit, maybe bulk up with drums, bass etc.

Jared amidst all his postgraduate hectic workload, kindly offered me a morning of recording time in one of the professionally set-up studios in the KMC building. I gave him a fair amount of liberty to process our raw recording, and he duly obliged: have a listen!

“Breeze” – WILLIAM CHONG
Lyrics

The sky is a goblet of blue
Above the rippling emerald slopes
I’m sitting here on my own
Waiting for the breeze

The trees on the hillside sway
Branches waving at me in the corner
I’m sitting here on my own
Waiting for the breeze (2x)

Breeze, carry my hopes in your hands
You’re gently caressing the faces
of those you meet,
Breeze, I’m sitting here waiting
Change your direction to me

The leaves on the treetops dance
And peel off their yellow bells
I’m sitting here on my own,
Hoping that one day the bells will peal for me
Hoping that I’ll see the breeze passing through

Take a look, see the trees raise their hands to you
Take a look: hear the hills play the sound of your music
It’s parting the veil on my heart

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More music here.

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